Man strangled woman in street until she collapsed on the ground unconscious

A man strangled a woman in the street until she collapsed on the ground unconscious.

Newcastle Crown Court heard it was on June 19 last year that the attack happened on Nelson Street, Newcastle.

A number of drunken people were hanging around outside The Alchemist when David Toner attacked the victim.

Neil Jones, prosecuting, said: “The defendant got hold of her around the neck from behind. He had his arm around her neck and said something to her and looked aggressive.

“A witness heard the female saying ‘you’re choking me’ and her hands were around his hands as if trying to get him off and she was gasping for air. A few moments later she lost consciousness and she was limp and he dropped her to the ground.”

Another well-intentioned member of the public asked Toner what he was doing and he said he didn’t know. The woman started showing signs of coming round and Toner began to shout at her.

The woman said she couldn’t remember what had happened but five minutes later she was seen lying on the path again and was put in the recovery position. Emergency services were called and she was taken to hospital.

Footage of the incident was circulated and Toner was identified by several police officers. Toner, who has 71 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and was jailed for 17 months.

Recorder Alex Menary said Toner, 33, of no fixed address, was “exceptionally fortunate” the woman was not seriously hurt during the attack.